This Month
Too good to be true: Sydney exec testifies in $253m Perth fraud trial
Investors claim Chris Marco held himself out to be a leprechaun who could take them to a pot of gold. But it was a flimsy scheme, a prosecutor told the WA Supreme Court.
‘Can’t sit on the sidelines’: WA government preparing for GST fight
The WA government is mulling plans to defend its favourable GST deal, vowing not to be a passive observer as pressure mounts to overhaul the system.
Council sacked after dysfunction in rich listers’ backyard
The City of Nedlands in Perth’s wealthy western suburbs houses some of the nation’s most powerful folk. But it’s the local government that has everyone talking.
Gina Rinehart wants a helipad and ‘meow terrace’ at her $270m Perth HQ
Australia’s richest person wants to spend $270 million redeveloping her company’s two Perth sites including a new facade and a “cat” meeting room.
Big miners fear tax increase from Chalmers’ roundtable
Resources companies are nervous that next month’s meeting with business, unions and policymakers will target mining and energy to pay for cutting other taxes.
Students furious at enrolment, results chaos months after uni hack
Those attending a major private university say online problems have left them unable to get the results they need for prospective employers or further study.
Murujuga ruling proof protected sites, industry can co-exist: WA premier
WA Premier Roger Cook hails UNESCO’s decision to inscribe Murujuga and its rock art on the World Heritage List.
AFR readers divided on Nyrstar smelter bailout
The poll showed mixed views on whether the government should bail out embattled smelting business Nyrstar, while most readers were eager to see trade top the agenda.
Blackstone regains total control of Crown with WA casino green light
US private equity giant Blackstone has regained control of the last of Crown Resorts’ three precincts after the Western Australian government deemed its Perth casino suitable to maintain its licence.
Suburban newspaper in printing row with Stokes
The five-day stoush left the weekly paper without a print edition for the first time in more than 35 years.
How Christian Porter reinvented himself as a $7000-a-day barrister
Once touted as a potential prime minister, the former federal attorney-general has quietly built a new life.
‘Vibrant, unforgettable’: Bond family pays tribute to late matriarch
The children of Eileen Bond, former wife of late West Australian businessman Alan Bond, say the 87-year-old matriarch “brought everyone along for the ride”.
June
No ill will as Cash Converters boss signs on to NRL’s Bears
Businessman Peter Cumins, whose initial bid for the Western Bears was torpedoed, says all he ever wanted was an NRL team in WA.
Raise GST to lower other taxes, AFR readers say
The government should contemplate raising the GST to lower other taxes, but not let Donald Trump strong-arm it into increasing defence spending.
Bankrupt sale of $2.2m collection of rare Rolexes and other watches
In just three years, a collector bought scores of luxury watches. Then he went bankrupt. The watches, including Piagets and a Patek Philippe, are up for auction.
Mineral Resources accused of political posturing in port levy fight
The iron ore miner is contesting the validity of millions of dollars in port levies set to flow to energy giant Chevron.
States reject Queensland push to link disability support to GST reform
Premiers of Victoria and Western Australia reject “adversarial” approach to use disability funding as “bargaining chip” on GST distribution.
WA budget winners and losers
Industry, workers and home buyers are among those set to benefit most from the Western Australian budget 2025.
Labor vows to buttress ‘Fortress WA’ with another budget surplus
Western Australia is on track for more than a decade of surpluses, with GST payments and iron ore royalties delivering the state a $2.5 billion surplus for 2024-25.
Environmentalists launch suit to quash North West Shelf approval
A rock art preservation group backed by the Holmes à Court family matriarch has launched a challenge to overturn WA approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf extension.